Blog from the Beasel-Weast

Hello out there in Catster land.
Many of you are aquinted with Natalie. I was hesitant to write, becuase Natalie is both sharp of wit, and a wonderful writer.
I am simply your Garden Variety Domestic Long Hair Princess.
I was the first to Catster, along with Ruffy. I am my Mommy's Kitty Girl, and Daddy's Beasel Weast.
What is a Beasel Weast, you ask?
A worthwhile question.
The story goes this way:
When Mommy got to know me, she admired my sleek and lovely features. She also noted that I could open doors that were not closed properly by sticking my face into where there was a slight gap and pushing. I would do this on occasion, as I did not like being confined to one room.
She noticed when I did this, I resembled, in her words, a 'weasel'. Now I don't agree with that. I am not, and hever have been one of those elongated creatures that roam the forest. I am Feline, of course.
But my daddy, when he got to know me and Mommy, made up a song for me. He started the tradition of cat songs, and he sings for me when he brushes me or pets me in the morning:
"Beasel-weast, Beasel-weast, Daddy's little Beasel-weast'.
I will admit that I love Daddy. I accepted him right away. He feels good, he has a purr I can't always hear, but I sense his warmth. And he has always been good to me. There are some people who love cats and cats know this. He is one of these people.
We have not been living where we live very long. I have my own soft bed in the room that the tv is. I have to share the room with the catboys. I wish I had my own room, as where we used to live, but I do have more company here more often with the boys and especially with Mommy and Daddy when they are home. They go away most days for alot of the day, but they come as we start to get hungry again.
I lay here with the window beside me, and sometimes the sun comes in and shines on my coat. Mommy brushes me at least once a day, and I enjoy it.
I also enjoy having my meals bought to me, and having mommy or daddy sit here with me. That happened because I nibble and eat slowly, whereas the Grey cat eats fast and then comes to find out whats on other's plates. When mommy noticed him eating mine, she took to feeding me by my bed. She'll sit by me and pet me as I eat.
Mommy and Daddy are my People.

Daddy came home, and got the little carrier out. I watched him carefully, but thank goodness it was not for me! What a relief. Then he got the larger one. He put it on the floor and urged Ruffy into it. Ruffy went. He doesn't mind the 'outside' in a carrier. He knows sometihng to eat will eventually be involved, most likely. If he does one thing well, it's eat.

This morning, he was obviously feeling better, playing with Daddy and rushing up to the counter when Daddy was getting our food. When he meows, it sounds as though he's speaking Human and saying 'Now! Now!'

Ruffy and the little cranky faced orange cat came back with Mommy and Daddy in their carriers. The little orange cranky one-Natalie,-went into the bedroom. I leapt off my seat, and cautiously went in, but she was up on the bed, with that thing they made me wear once long ago around her neck. I looked up at her, and felt sorry for her. She is rude, and hisses and growls, and once I even had to smack her, but I feel care for her. I have had that thing on. It's not fun to wear.

But the room is quiet today. The Smokie is laying on the rug, and the Ruffy is on the other rug, curled in his happy cat yoga curl. He is smiling.

And I'm back to my soft bed, to look out over them all-and remain First Cat.

Daddy went out to start the car, then came in to tell Mommy it was mushy out there. He kissed my grey spot on my head, and he was cold!
Mommy sat beside me, drinking coffee, petting me. I loved it, she and I ....well, she is Mommy, and that is all.

The boys are in trouble. They are always in some trouble somehow. The little orange grumpycat needs to show them she's not going to take it. But she is ouchie....

So the door is shut now between the other room, and this room. Which means they are out here all day til Daddy comes. Great.
But they know better than to start with me.

Think I'll roll over here and cuddle with Mommys blanket as well as mine. Ah, so nice and warm!

I wanted to take this time to thank you. You see, I have been with Mommy awhile now. I know Mommy and Daddy adore me, and I realize how lucky I am to have good people who think like cats-that is to say they love cats, and believe our wellbeing is important. For me, that means alot. Mommy saved me many years ago from a mean person who was squirting me and my kits with a hose. She was mean, and when I would sit in the window, forever after, I would look down at her and hiss. We KNOW who has a good spirit, and who doesn't. Our nature is such that we always know.
I wanted to say that you are all very special to have cats life with you. We bestow blessings, we are Fey, we are Magick, we are Blessed. And yes, we know this.
That said, many cats are not so lucky. And I wanted to bring up something important..it is so very important, dear people, to have something written down in the event that something should happen that prevents you from caring for us, for a plan to be in place for us to be cared for.
You see, mommy has read and heard of too many stories where cats are abandoned, put out of their homes, or put into places that 'put them down' because when their people have something happen that makes them not able to care for them, of these cats winding up in bad situations. Some are lucky, and very good people come forward and take care of them. Natalie, my sister was found by someone wandering. She had not probably ever been taken to a vet, so I don't know how good her previous person was. But she was loved and cared for in some way, because she was very affectionate. But then, we are forgiving creatures, even if we do not forget.
I don't know how you would make sure we are cared for in the event that something happens. Perhaps to speak with a close friend, and put away some of that green paper called money, and make sure that goes with us to whoever will care for us. Perhaps seek out a good place that will take care of a kitty in situations like this. Or perhaps speak with a vet and ask what others do in this sort of situation. But if you plan ahead, then things will be set 'just in case'.
I know this is not a cheerful topic on so lovely a morning, but I thought to say this because we, as cats, are so very vulnurable. There is foster care for children. There is not for us. We are so dependent on you to look out for us...and in turn, be blessed, for the Goodness is Cat is evident in our eyes, don't you think?
In any case, I bid you a fine good morning, stretch ans close my eyes agin for my morning nap. Life, yes, it is good.

I know that Natalie's diary is better known than mine. But I wanted to wish everyone a Happy St. Pats day and bid a hail to those who have journied before us.

While it is sad to see them leave their physical forms, it is a day when humans would, in times of old, raise a glass and stand upon high earth, and pour a libation, and hold glass aloft and salute the passing spirit as it flies free..

We felines, we frish with unseen friends and sleep curled around spirit, for we are the very ambassadors of the Fey.

I do not miss what I can't concieve, for I can still see what others grieve.

I purr for all my human friends who have lost a beloved companion and who miss them. I reach out with velvet paw and let them know we are still here, and there will, yes, always be another with bright eyes to regard you with an ancient wisdom and dancing mirth...for we are, really, Cat.

Today, let your hearts be light. Let the magick of the world, not the pain of it light your way through the day. And above all, cherish all that surrounds you.

I am neither wise, nor wordy, but am contest to lay here, in the sun, purring, feeling the breeze.

And with that self deep inside, I send sweet journey to those who throw kisses...and say 'look to the rainbow'.

We are loving on mommy.
Mommy and Daddy didn't want to do this. But Big Vet had another talk with them. She said that she believes that Smokie, who has not 'acted out' since scratching mommy on Tuesday could 'go off' again, and feels that 5 cats in a two room apartment may be the reason. Smokie is FIV+. I am not. Natcat is Not. When she and I tangle, we are old tabbies (well, not really, but we're more matched in age and ability than he)we have a more equal footing. With Smokie, who's bigger and younger, well, lets face it, he could hurt us. That he hut Nat is not in dispute.
The decision to place Princess, who did not fight was not an easy one, but Big Vet states we must all look at the 'Big Picture'. Mommy and Daddy love Princess. We don't. It has gotten better-the boys seem to tolerate her. But Big Vet is serious. She told Mommy that if Nat tests FIV+ it could mean that it makes it harder for her with chemo. Mommy is hurting. She blames herself, but I love on her. She must not.. She is a person who has kindness in her..and who loves cats and all creatures.
I know that this bothers her...because she gets sad when she looks at Princess. I know she and Daddy are planning on Princess seeing Big Vet for a last shot and an exam. Mommy wants to make sure she is 'ok'. Mommy watches her sleep on the cat tree and cries.
Mommy told me 'Bella, I've never rehomed anyone-you were all brought in to stay. You're our family.'
But Mommy, you did not know that this would happen, and you are not giving Princess to anyone..you are carefully selecting, along with the rescue, people who would be able to offer Priness perhaps a little more than what she has here besides love....Princess is younger than us...and at probably only a year or so old, would like a playmate near her own age, or maybe a person of her own without other cats. She rubs our people alot, and gives them tiny little painless love bites. She is respectful of me. But she tries to chase Ruffy.
Mommy and Daddy also plan on a physical for the RB. They are concerned about him and his behavior.
We love our Mommy...and we know it will be alright. And mommy is trying everything she can to make things better...but she feels so guilty over what has happened.
I am licking her and purring at her now...and looking at daddy who has just come in with chicken.

For us cats, we live in the moment, and for us, the moment means chicken.

I was reading that he wasn't feeling too well. I want everyone to know that Apollo is so handsome. He looks like the cat version of John Wayne in 'The Quiet Man' and I find him so good looking.
I lay on my little blanket and look at his picture. We're worlds away. He's a man cat who obviously is a cat who has roamed the big wide country.
I am a girl kitty who raised a few litters of kits before coming in from the cold. I know that some of those kits made it inside to be safe. I know some did not, and I wonder where they are now.
I hear the steam hissing through the pipes, and I wonder if Apollo is laying in his bed, feeling warm. I would snuggle against him if I could, lend him my purrs...because basically, despite fights and spats...we are kind creatures.
Apollo is so handsome, and he is one of those cats that only gets better with age! He is so very handsome! But then, there is more than that...it is that he has such a way about him. He doesn't need CGQ (Cat Gentlemans Quarterly) status...because he is all that is good in a mancat.
I would ask, if any of the other girlcats here would send him good wishes. I know, I live in the moment. When Mommy brushes me and Daddy makes much of me. When I play on the scratching post and stare at the new laser toy. I take my medicines mommy gives me, and I sleep more...though I always enjoyed that after coming in from the cold....how comfortable to be warm and bask in the morning or afternoon sun, to know one has enough to eat!
But Apollo is kindess, and we want him to know we purr and care.

Today Mommy has:
made sure I ate,
given me lots of treats,
came out and chased m bad brothers away from bullying me-they blocked me so I could not get back to my bed or my litter box-I was just drinking water!
shoved 2 pills down my throat...thanks, Mom!
Last night she and dad did the water under my skin. It feels funny but she brushed me the whole time.

I know Mommy worries. I get the ouchies when the weather turns chill. I miss the Spring, I miss my warm sunbeam.

Mommy will put the smaller screen in the window so we can get air and not so much chill today. Mommy always leaves the window out here a little screened because she beleives we need some fresh air.

I know all you mommies worry and hurt because we get older. And when we're 'old furts' like me, you worry more. I know I'm not the young lady cat I once was. But I eat, I drink, and sometimes I'm not so cranky. I get azodyl for my kidneys, I get cosaquin for my arthritis.

I want to send out warm nuzzles to Apollos mommy. Apollo's mommy will you tell him that I love him, and I purr for him? That if I could I would lick him well? I wish we had the power to do that my kitty friends! I wish I could heal our humans that we have here, because they love us so.

I know for all of us here, on Catster, we're lucky, becuase we have human secretaries who take good care of us and love us. And sometimes, maybe, they need to know that as cats, we may show it in different ways, but we do love them very very much...and we will always, what ever side of the Rainbow we're on, never leave them.